Top Gear - Middle East Special Full |work| Episode [ RECOMMENDED - 2024 ]

Top Gear: Middle East Special (2010) is widely regarded as one of the peak moments of the Clarkson, Hammond, and May era. Following the path of the Three Wise Men in three used convertibles, the trio delivers a 76-minute adventure that blends "puerile" schoolboy humor with a hauntingly beautiful historical record of regions soon to be changed forever. The Premise: One Wise Man, an Idiot, and a Cheat

The challenge was simple yet absurd: buy a used convertible for under £3,500 and drive from Iraqi Kurdistan to Bethlehem. Jeremy Clarkson Mazda MX-5

, which he later decorated with a "Technicolor Dreamcoat" paint job. Richard Hammond Fiat Barchetta Riviera , which he famously modified into a nomadic "moving tent". went with a

, though he went over budget, earning him the title of the "cheat". Highlights: Chaos and Comedy The Landing:

In a signature over-the-top intro, the presenters arrive in an Ilyushin Il-76 cargo plane that performs a "go-around" before dropping them in Erbil, Iraq. The Burqa Disguise:

After James May suffered a concussion from a tow rope accident in Syria, Clarkson and Hammond famously picked him up from the hospital wearing burqas to "blend in"—a scene that remains a fan favorite for its sheer ridiculousness. The "Genesis" Prank:

To torment Hammond, Clarkson and May rigged his car stereo to play songs by the band top gear - middle east special full episode

non-stop, showcasing the trio's classic "cruel but funny" chemistry. The Nativity Finale:

Reaching Bethlehem, they presented "gifts": gold-relief for James, hotel shampoo for Richard (as frankincense), and a Nintendo DS for Jeremy (replacing myrrh). The "Baby Jesus" in the manger was revealed to be a A Bittersweet Time Capsule

What makes this episode stand out today is its unintentional status as a historical record. It contains some of the last high-definition footage of the ancient city of

before its destruction by ISIS, and portrays a pre-civil war Syria as a welcoming, vibrant place. This backdrop of peaceful landscapes that were soon ravaged by conflict adds a layer of poignancy that few other specials possess. Critical Verdict

The Top Gear Middle East Special (Series 16, Episode 2) is a 76-minute extended episode that originally aired on December 26, 2010, on BBC Two . Episode Overview

The Mission: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James May attempt to recreate the journey of the Three Wise Men by driving from Erbil International Airport in Iraqi Kurdistan to Bethlehem . Top Gear: Middle East Special (2010) is widely

The Route: A 1,200-mile (1,900 km) road trip through southern Turkey, Syria (visiting Aleppo, Palmyra, and Damascus), and Jordan before reaching the Mount of Olives and Bethlehem .

The Vehicles: Each presenter was given a £3,500 budget to buy a second-hand, two-door convertible sports car : Jeremy: Mazda MX-5 Richard: Fiat Barchetta James: BMW Z3 Key Highlights

Border Challenges: The trio faced numerous complications involving border controls and the ongoing "War on Terror" in Iraq .

Gift Selection: Upon arriving at a nativity scene in Bethlehem, the "Three Wise Men" presented their gifts: gold (James), frankincense (Richard), and a Nintendo DS (Jeremy, who couldn't find myrrh) .

The Twist: The baby Jesus in the manger was revealed to be a "Baby Stig" . Where to Watch You can find the full episode on the following platforms:

Streaming: Available on the BBC iPlayer (UK), Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video . Final Verdict: Why You Need to Watch the

Free Options: Select clips and occasionally full-length segments are available on the official BBC Top Gear website .

Final Verdict: Why You Need to Watch the Full Episode

If you have never seen the Top Gear – Middle East Special full episode, stop reading this article and go find it immediately. It is not just a car show. It is a travel documentary, a survival guide, a comedy masterclass, and a piece of television history. It proves that the best adventures are not about luxury or speed—they are about buying a £1,000 BMW, praying it starts, and driving toward a war zone with nothing but a GPS and a sense of humor.

Rating: 10/10 (and a gold-plated jerry can for James May).

Did we miss your favorite moment from the Top Gear Middle East Special? Share your thoughts in the comments below. And if you found this guide useful, check out our deep dives into the Bolivia Special, the Burma Special, and the final Grand Tour specials.

The Cars: Three Losers for a Holy Land

True to form, the cars were chosen not for their suitability, but for the presenters' specific brands of vanity:

  • Jeremy Clarkson (The Mazda MX-5): Clarkson chose a Mazda MX-5 (Miata), reasoning that it was the world’s best-selling sports car and therefore reliable. To add a layer of pettiness, he noted that it was a two-seater, meaning he wouldn't have to ferry the other two. He promptly painted it metallic brown.
  • Richard Hammond (The Fiat Barchetta): Hammond went for style over substance, selecting the cute but fragile Fiat Barchetta. In a moment of pure visual comedy, he later installs a massive "Bowler Wildcat" style exhaust stack that shoots flames, cementing the car's status as a "super car" in his mind only.
  • James May (The BMW Z3): Captain Slow went for the BMW Z3, largely because he wanted the straight-six engine. However, his car was a manual, and his constant stalling in heavy traffic became a running gag throughout the episode.

Where to watch (legally)

| Service | Availability (may vary by country) | |--------|-------------------------------------| | BBC iPlayer | UK only – often includes this special | | Amazon Prime Video | Buy/rent – look for Top Gear: Middle East Special or Series 16 | | Apple TV/iTunes | Buy/rent individually | | YouTube (BBC Top Gear channel) | May have clips, not full episode | | DVD/Blu-ray | Top Gear: The Complete Specials or Series 16 set |

Tip: Use a service like JustWatch (app/website) to check current streaming availability in your country.

Why the Episode is "Lost" to Streaming

You may notice that despite being one of the most famous Top Gear episodes ever made, it rarely appears on Netflix or HBO Max. There are three reasons:

  1. Music Licensing: The episode features classic rock songs (Golden Earring’s "Radar Love," The Doors’ "Riders on the Storm") that cost a fortune to license perpetually.
  2. Offensive Jokes: In 2024 standards, jokes about "looking like a terrorist" or "finding WMDs" are considered distasteful. The BBC has quietly archived the episode to avoid social media backlash.
  3. The Israel Issue: The episode ends with the trio driving into Israel. Several Middle Eastern streaming services (which license Top Gear) refuse to carry any episode that shows the Israeli flag or acknowledges Jerusalem as a destination.